Wyclef Jean Plans to Appeal Rejected Candidacy

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Haitian-born singer and presidential candidate Wyclef Jean, second left, walks surrounded by security after Haiti's Electoral Council rejected his candidacy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Friday, Aug. 20, 2010. The council's spokesman Richard Dumel announced Friday that it has accepted 19 candidacies and has rejected 15 others for the upcoming Nov. 28 presidential election, including Jean's because he did not meet the residency requirement of having lived in Haiti for five years before election.

Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean is not ready to give up his presidential bid and plans to appeal the decision that rejected his candidacy.

Jean said his lawyer will appear in Haitian Court on Monday to appeal the decision of the country's election board and reassured that he has documentation proving, "everything is correct," reported the AP.

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The Grammy-winningex-Fugees' presidential candidacy was rejected late on Friday because he did not meet the requirement of having lived in Haiti for five years before the Nov. 28 election.

Jean told the AP that he and his aids, "feel that what is going on here has everything to do with Haitian politics."

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News of the appeal conflicts with Jean's earlier response to his failed presidential bid.

In his previous statement Jean said, “Though I disagree with the ruling, I respectfully accept the committee’s final decision, and I urge my supporters to do the same. He added, “respect the rule of law in order for our island to become the great nation we all aspire for it to be.”

On Friday spokesman, Richard Dumel, for Haiti’s electoral council announced a list of 19 candidates who were allowed in November’s election. Jean's name was included in a second group of 15 candidates who were rejected from the ballot.

Born in Croix-des-Bouquets, but spending most of his life in New York and New Jersey, Jean claimed he was exempt from the residential requirements when he was appointed ambassador to Haiti three years ago.